The Princess and the Bear

This book is a supplement to the Princess and the Hound and yet it tells the reason of why that book started in the first place.

King Richon objected to the animal magic that spread through his kingdom so he made it a criminal offense. Because of this a magic man turned the king into a bear and for two hundred years the bear wonders alone and never understood by any of the other animals. Then he meets Chala a hound who had been the Princess' companion (of TP&TH) where for a while she had been the princess. Realizing that the time had come for efforts to solve the problem, the bear and hound go back to the magic man.

The story that follows shows how short-sighted individuals can learn to progress and accept others for who and what they show more are.

I read this book because I collect bears and my husband calls me a princess, so I guess this book is a special one for me. show less

The Princess is a Hound that switched bodies with a princess. The Bear is king who was turned into a bear by the wild man. The two unlikely companions must travel back in time to the time right after Richon became a bear and try to head the unmagic off in the past. Richon muyst also deal with his shame regarding his previous behavior and lack of knowledge.

So this is actually the second book in a series, but if you don't read the first one I think it is very possible to read and enjoy this book. You are given enough information to understand what is going on and the plot is not connected to the the one from the first book. The story alternates between Chala and Richon and it's definitely very interesting to see how Chala thinks and how show more she slowly adjusts to having her own human form. I thought it was really interesting how Richon returning to his human form unsettled him and almost had him reverting to the behaviors that got him turned into a bear in the first place. It was an interesting read and I loved watching their relationship develop. show less

The Princess is a Hound that switched bodies with a princess. The Bear is king who was turned into a bear by the wild man. The two unlikely companions must travel back in time to the time right after Richon became a bear and try to head the unmagic off in the past. Richon muyst also deal with his shame regarding his previous behavior and lack of knowledge.

So this is actually the second book in a series, but if you don't read the first one I think it is very possible to read and enjoy this book. You are given enough information to understand what is going on and the plot is not connected to the the one from the first book. The story alternates between Chala and Richon and it's definitely very interesting to see how Chala thinks and how show more she slowly adjusts to having her own human form. I thought it was really interesting how Richon returning to his human form unsettled him and almost had him reverting to the behaviors that got him turned into a bear in the first place. It was an interesting read and I loved watching their relationship develop. show less

The Princess is a Hound that switched bodies with a princess. The Bear is king who was turned into a bear by the wild man. The two unlikely companions must travel back in time to the time right after Richon became a bear and try to head the unmagic off in the past. Richon muyst also deal with his shame regarding his previous behavior and lack of knowledge.

So this is actually the second book in a series, but if you don't read the first one I think it is very possible to read and enjoy this book. You are given enough information to understand what is going on and the plot is not connected to the the one from the first book. The story alternates between Chala and Richon and it's definitely very interesting to see how Chala thinks and how show more she slowly adjusts to having her own human form. I thought it was really interesting how Richon returning to his human form unsettled him and almost had him reverting to the behaviors that got him turned into a bear in the first place. It was an interesting read and I loved watching their relationship develop. show less

The Princess is a Hound that switched bodies with a princess. The Bear is king who was turned into a bear by the wild man. The two unlikely companions must travel back in time to the time right after Richon became a bear and try to head the unmagic off in the past. Richon muyst also deal with his shame regarding his previous behavior and lack of knowledge.

So this is actually the second book in a series, but if you don't read the first one I think it is very possible to read and enjoy this book. You are given enough information to understand what is going on and the plot is not connected to the the one from the first book. The story alternates between Chala and Richon and it's definitely very interesting to see how Chala thinks and how show more she slowly adjusts to having her own human form. I thought it was really interesting how Richon returning to his human form unsettled him and almost had him reverting to the behaviors that got him turned into a bear in the first place. It was an interesting read and I loved watching their relationship develop. show less

I do wish I'd read the first book in the series first -- I checked the ebook out of the library without realizing that it's a sequel. However, it stood alone reasonably well, and developed into a thoughtful fable.

Reviewed by Joan Stradling for TeensReadToo.com

In an age of kings and princesses, Harrison weaves a fantasy tale of magic that links humans and animals in a surprising and unique way.

King Richon and Princess Chala continue the adventure begun in THE PRINCESS AND THE HOUND. Though I did not read the first book, I had no problems understanding and enjoying THE PRINCESS AND THE BEAR.

Richon and Chala are given a chance to pit themselves against the cat man and destroy his unmagic to save their way of life and their entire world. But will they be able to hold back the evil the cat man is spreading?

Grab a copy of THE PRINCESS AND THE BEAR and lose yourself in a world of animal magic sure to thrill you with every turn of the page.